BOCA CHICA, Texas – SpaceX is set to launch its most significant Starship test yet with entirely new vehicles on Flight 12, marking the debut of Version 3 hardware powered by advanced Raptor 3 engines.
New Generation Vehicles Take Center Stage
SpaceX is not reusing vehicles from previous flights. Instead, the company is flying fresh Starship V3 and Super Heavy V3 vehicles for the first time. These incorporate structural changes, upgraded thermal protection systems, simplified designs, and other modificationsaimed at achieving rapid full reusability.
The stack stands approximately 407 to 408 feet tall and features Raptor 3 engines that deliver higher thrust while being lighter and simpler in design. This represents a major engineering leap intended to accelerate development toward operational missions, including NASA Artemis lunar landings and future Mars transport.
Launch Attempt Scrubbed on May 21
The initial launch attempt on May 21, 2026, from the new Starbase Pad 2 was scrubbed in the final minutes due to technical issues, including problems with ground systems such as the water diverter and hydraulic components. SpaceX indicated that if resolved quickly, a new attempt could occur the following day.
A retry window opens on the evening of May 22, 2026, with liftoff targeted around 5:30 p.m. CT (6:30 p.m. ET) in a 90-minute window.
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Key Objectives for Flight 12
This suborbital test will focus on validating the new hardware in flight. Planned milestones include:
- Successful stage separation and boostback maneuvers.
- Deployment of Starlink simulator payloads.
- In-space relight of a Raptor engine.
- Reentry and heat shield performance testing.
- Controlled splashdowns of both the Super Heavy booster in the Gulf of Mexico and the Starship upper stage in the Indian Ocean.
The mission uses Booster 19 and Ship 39, launching from the newly constructed Pad 2 for improved efficiency and higher launch cadence.
Path Toward Reusability and Beyond
SpaceX officials have described Flight 12 as a critical step in the rapid iteration process that sets the program apart. Upgrades in V3, such as redesigned grid fins, improved fuel systems, and enhanced tile attachments, build directly on lessons from prior tests.3
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Success on this flight would bolster confidence in Starship’s role for NASA’s Artemis program and long-term goals of making humanity multiplanetary. Even partial achievements are expected to provide valuable data for future iterations.
